...Upgrading my M16 (cortina) calipers to 4 pot Wilwood midilites? The piston area works out smaller, but the position of the pistons is further out, so more leverage.

Has anyone fitted them and noticed a huge improvement? If not, I shant bother

BTW i have a standard 22.2mm sierra master cylinder.

TIA,
David

In my opinion, I would only be changing calipers if I was doing so for weight. And since you have a pinto engined car Dave, I would assume it's not the first place to start saving weight!

Steve

Any saving on unsprung weight or rotational mass is worth having/doing, although I would agree with Steve that if it's for overall weight, I'd be looking elsewhere first.........

Phil

I agree - haven't really noticed a huge improvement from my M16 that were on my pinto'd Avon and my Hispec 4 pots that are on my bitsblade - main difference is about 160kg though!

Pat...

Must say as well - can you currently lock the wheels?

If so, better calipers won't help (common misconception).

Pat...

Would agree with all the above, would just add that if you can't currently lock the front wheels with heavy pedal pressure it would suggest there is something wrong with the existing system which would be worth investigating first rather than spending large amounts of your (presumably non-existant) student cash on expensive calipers.

I can just lock the wheels with heavy pedal effort. Fitting 'better' front calipers should reduce the amount of effort, as would fitting larger discs. I was simply after a bit more bite for less effort. Maybe I just need to get down the gym more often and stop being lazy

My car is overweight (circa 625kg at SVA) and I do need to save some weight, but the pinto is staying for now as its plenty quick enough , plus I like being able to go along in 5th ticking over when stuck in traffic

A huge weight saving could be had by changing the wheels to 13's but I am quite attached to my Snipers now

Cheers,
David

quote:

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Originally posted by flak monkey

My car is overweight (circa 625kg at SVA) and I do need to save some weight, but the pinto is staying for now as its plenty quick enough , plus I like being able to go along in 5th ticking over when stuck in traffic


Might stop a bit quicker if you didnt have such a fat bas*ard sitting next to you!!

Keep the pinto mate just for the sound!

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robinj66 - 26/8/07 at 07:26 PM

I did it on my cobra (a bit more weight I know) albeit with princess calipers not Wilwood and I would say braking is smoother and less effort now.
May be psychological but ...

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Avoneer - 26/8/07 at 08:25 PM

My Avon weighed in at 636 and the M16 with standard pads still performed well both on the road and at Elvington.

Stop being a wimp and go and do some "sissy squats".

Pat

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MikeRJ - 26/8/07 at 10:40 PM

quote:

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Originally posted by Avoneer
Must say as well - can you currently lock the wheels?

If so, better calipers won't help (common misconception).

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Are you saying that it's a misconception that if you can lock the wheels you don't need bigger brakes?

If so you are correct, it is a misconception. When locked, brakes are performing no work at all, and have to dissipate no heat (the tyre is doing all the work). Better brakes are required if the stock ones overheat and fade or boil the fluid during operation as they are unable to dissipate enough heat.

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RK - 26/8/07 at 10:53 PM

Different pad compound? I assume this is available, as it is with downhill mountain bikes.

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Avoneer - 27/8/07 at 08:19 AM

quote:

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Originally posted by MikeRJ

quote:

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Originally posted by Avoneer
Must say as well - can you currently lock the wheels?

If so, better calipers won't help (common misconception).

---

Are you saying that it's a misconception that if you can lock the wheels you don't need bigger brakes?

If so you are correct, it is a misconception. When locked, brakes are performing no work at all, and have to dissipate no heat (the tyre is doing all the work). Better brakes are required if the stock ones overheat and fade or boil the fluid during operation as they are unable to dissipate enough heat.

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Yep - think so - if you can lock the wheels with your calipers at the moment, bigger and more expensive ones aren't going to do owt apart from make it a bit easier to push the pedal.

Remember we are talking locost here and not racing applications.

Pat...

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stevebubs - 27/8/07 at 04:30 PM

quote:

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Originally posted by flak monkey
I can just lock the wheels with heavy pedal effort. Fitting 'better' front calipers should reduce the amount of effort, as would fitting larger discs. I was simply after a bit more bite for less effort. Maybe I just need to get down the gym more often and stop being lazy

My car is overweight (circa 625kg at SVA) and I do need to save some weight, but the pinto is staying for now as its plenty quick enough , plus I like being able to go along in 5th ticking over when stuck in traffic

A huge weight saving could be had by changing the wheels to 13's but I am quite attached to my Snipers now

Cheers,
David

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What about just changing pads? I noticed a huge improvement in braking when I swapped the old pads for one with a different compound.

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